Chapter 198
Chapter 198
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 198
Chapter Title: White Giant (5)
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Now entering the Hybrid era in the Kingdom of Talia, under the rule of the united vampire clans.
The blood donation centers established everywhere were all operating normally, and the confusion among the populace was gradually settling down.
Now, there were even more people praising them, saying life had become better than before. At this rate, everything was proceeding smoothly.
"...That concludes the incidents and accidents that occurred domestically this week."
However, that didn't mean all problems within the kingdom had been resolved.
Reactionary agitators were still inciting citizens, there were terrorist attempts targeting social infrastructure and blood donation centers, and rebellions were plotted whenever things seemed to quiet down.
They were nipping them in the bud through the information network spread like a spiderweb, but the enemies' methods were growing ever more cunning, making it inevitably troublesome.
'And I already have so much on my plate.'
In the king's office, Heinz 2nd, who had been quietly listening to the report, furrowed his brow and tilted his head.
"Hmm, so the culprits behind it are still the three neighboring kingdoms?"
"Yes. However, they've destroyed all evidence, so we couldn't obtain concrete proof. My apologies, High Lord."
Mullo Brocoslak, who oversaw all domestic and foreign intelligence, bowed deeply in regret at his casual remark.
Heinz nodded roughly and skimmed through the detailed report.
'Still, it's down a lot from the initial surge. Well, we've crushed so many that even they must realize their schemes aren't working anymore.'
For all intents and purposes, the Hybrid's control over the Kingdom of Talia was beyond imagination.
Vampires with abilities far superior to humans, incapable of betrayal or bribery, and absolutely loyal to their lord were stationed in every corner of the nation. It was only natural.
Attempts to shake things using ordinary citizens had failed once or twice, but now everything was crushed before it could even start, leaving no one willing to join in.
'The neighboring countries' interference is just prolonging the chaos, but it won't last forever.'
He could understand their position fully.
No matter that the Church of the Main God and its saint had approved them, it was unsettling to see vampires—lifelong enemies—swallow a neighboring kingdom.
Moreover, the Hybrid was still gathering kin from across the continent, swelling their numbers.
They were probably buying time to prepare countermeasures, even if it meant interference.
'Come to think of it, we're gradually infiltrating their underworld too, so their concerns aren't entirely unfounded.'
Heinz sneered coldly and tossed the report down.
For now, public scrutiny forced them to stay quiet amid these schemes, but he had no intention of enduring it forever.
'Time to start expanding our influence from the shadows.'
If they were going to do it, they might as well do it right.
Subtle power struggles in the darkness had always been the vampires' specialty, honed over long ages.
"By the way."
Pausing briefly, he picked up another document beside the report and spoke again.
"This intel... it just came in?"
"Yes. In fact, it's the core of this report. We gathered and compiled the latest data right after receiving the news, recognizing the severity of the situation."
Mullo replied confidently and began his briefing.
"Gigantic white giants have been sighted across the continent. Their size easily surpasses ordinary city walls, and their strength and regenerative power are also..."
All information Heinz already knew.
But the subsequent details included things even he hadn't heard—
"Three individuals observed so far. Two have been subjugated. One was swiftly dealt with by Saint Heinrich's crusade in the Kingdom of Lesk..."
There was more than one giant in this world.
"The other ravaged the western border of the Azerion Empire before being slain by the legion commander and high-ranking officers. The sudden chaos inflicted heavy losses on the military units, to the point where the entire legion guarding the west against monsters is reeling."
Having faced the monster himself, he knew full well how tricky it was.
Yet they'd already hunted another one elsewhere—their prowess was no joke.
'The Empire, as expected. Heavy casualties, but they handled it on their own.'
However, there was one notable difference from the giant Heinrich encountered.
"...It corroded its surroundings just by breathing?"
"Yes. It breathed toxic gas from its single open nostril. Approaching it was ordeal enough."
Yet survivors from the first unit to spot it testified it hadn't had that ability initially.
Only one conclusion possible.
'...As I feared, it's grown stronger by accumulating evil karma.'
The white giant did seem lacking in abilities relative to its presence.
Overwhelming in raw power, yes—but its traits were overly focused on survivability.
'Yeah, that black seal felt off. So it sealed its powers to emerge from the abyss, then accumulates evil karma on the surface to unseal them one by one?'
Combining the new intel with Hans's "Immortal Heart" and "Forbidden Knowledge" allowed quick analysis.
He still didn't know its true nature, but that could come later.
"And the one that wasn't subjugated..."
As Heinz pondered, Mullo continued.
"It appeared in the Duchy of Rohan, inflicting fatal damage on the defense forces. Then, Cardinal Pirey and the Church of the Main God's elites arrived late and clashed with it, but it escaped."
During the fight, it used monsters driven from the mountains to threaten the defense survivors, forcing the Church group to let it go.
'...Monsters and giants share the same madness host. And it has the intelligence to exploit them.'
Heinz closed his eyes, deep in thought over the headache.
Three giants already, one escaped.
Would that fugitive become a major obstacle later?
No guarantee this was the end of their appearances.
If more escaped like this...
"The escaped giant fled into the northern mountains somewhere, but given the location, we couldn't track its movements afterward."
At Mullo's follow-up, Heinz opened his eyes and looked at him.
'Hm? The northern mountains near the Duchy of Rohan...'
But then.
Bang—!
The office door flew open, and in strode a bold figure.
"Heinz! I'm back."
It was Briki, another Sacred Blood of the Hybrid.
"Oh my, Mullo's here too? Lord... no, High Lord? This girl has returned? Uwahu—."
Only noticing Mullo now, she played dumb and finally showed some decorum.
With her abilities, she could've sensed who was inside beforehand, but he'd seen this act enough times to let it slide.
'She's an ancient elder, after all. And a fine labor source.'
Plus, Mullo had once been her direct subordinate, so this was forgivable.
"...High Lord? You're making that face again. It happened last time too—what's causing it?"
"Probably blood deficiency. Take some from the camps in advance. More importantly, what's your business?"
Briki scowled sharply at him, but Heinz calmly changed the subject.
She grumbled reluctantly but complied—
The invitation process for vampire clans in the Azerion Empire was finally complete.
Not all hidden ones were found, but sizable groups had no choice but to surface, so few were missed.
"The north is a mess, so no clans left there. The southern barbarians' lands are tricky for us... So only the eastern Jephia Republic remains?"
"Hmm, is that so?"
Anyway, they now had a grasp of the situation.
From Talia's internal affairs, the wildcard white giants, to the final hurdle for vampire unification: the eastern Obaifo Clan.
'To intervene actively here, I need to step forward more prominently.'
Conveniently, the Second Continental Summit was soon.
Talia, of course, was formally invited.
"Briki, Mullo."
"Mm~?"
"Yes, High Lord."
Originally, they'd send Duke Bright as proxy like before, but this was the first international event since the "New Kingdom of Talia" under Hybrid rule.
Sending a proxy now would look bad.
"I'll attend the Continental Summit personally. Prepare accordingly."
"...Yes! We'll handle it flawlessly, High Lord."
"Eek, do I have to go too? Shouldn't one of us guard the base?"
Just back from work, Briki whined at the hassle.
But she had a point, so Heinz nodded readily.
"...Right, Briki. You stay here."
"Uwahu— Yes, leave this place to me, High Lord!"
Seeing her delight at finally resting, he vowed to pile on tasks before leaving.
'Time to make the name Heinz known properly. A warning and show of force to Obaifo too.'
Thus, an unexpected figure attended the Second Continental Summit.
Ruler of the New Kingdom of Talia.
High Lord of the Auterica Vampire Clan Union.
The great Sacred Blood vampire.
Vampire King, Heinz Hybrid 2nd.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Deep in the northern mountains.
A陰地 mountain shrouded in gloomy energy year-round, surrounded by towering, rugged peaks.
Rumble— Boom!
Amid fierce explosions there.
[———!]
A heavy roar like a whale's cry echoed.
But the clamor didn't last long.
After all, present were...
[The Sovereign commanded us to exterminate all monsters approaching the vicinity and turn them into undead.]
Death Knight Lord Karam and...
[How dare you—! Defile the king's sanctuary with your filthy feet—! I'll etch terror into you—!]
Dread Phantom Pargos.
[...This meat, no good...]
Ghoul Lord Fiona, and—
Unlike Dwelle, the combat-weak Archlich, the battle-oriented Archlich Kelipha, the over-3-meter armored Doom Knight Draxler, and...
Other new high-ranking undead who had gradually joined over time were swarming the place.
[———!]
Thus, the white giant that confidently entered the immortal domain was dismembered without resistance, its head dragged pitifully.
Of course, the corrosive gas from its nostril was mere perfume to those present.
[Well done, everyone... Another new monster...]
[No trouble at all, Olivia. But this one's madness and all—it doesn't seem ordinary. We'll take it back, but how should we handle it?]
[Hmm... Definitely not a normal lifeform; not sure if it can be undeadified... Best to ask Dwelle...]
As Karam and Olivia conversed.
Snap— Plop!
A small snapping sound drew their gazes aside.
The source: the severed white giant's mouth.
The black wire stitching it was corroding away, slowly parting its lips.
[Hm? Some last trick? Annoying.]
Shing—
Karam stepped forward, drawing his massive two-handed sword from his back, black flames of dark magic rising.
Other executives inspecting the head followed suit.
But once the seals fully broke, the giant didn't attack.
It merely uttered a few short words.
[The end of all life—. Fate and terminus of existence—.]
At the giant's baffling words, the undead executives exchanged glances.
[...What's this?]
[It's... speaking...?]
Regardless of their reactions, the head muttered to itself.
[The oldest impurity— Proof of eternal loss— Pooled at the abyss's deepest bottom—.]
[Death—.]
[Perhaps... begging for death...? I can grant it anytime, if desired...]
Olivia irritably cut off its rambling.
And as if no jest, dense dark magic and eerie ghostly energy gathered at her throat.
[Immortal King— Take me to the Immortal King—.]
Then it finally got to the point.
[Hm, indeed.]
Sudden, but as comrades of the previous Immortal King, they grasped it quickly.
This madness-bearing monster seemed tied to the abyss, like the Immortal King's "death."
Understanding all, Karam slung his sword over his shoulder and nodded leisurely.
[Hm. I understand your intent.]
[Then— the Immortal King—.]
[But you see.]
Flash of black light.
Whoosh— Fwoosh!
The massive blade carved a deep gash across the giant's face.
[Grraaah—?]
[Who are you to summon our Sovereign? Utterly insolent.]
[This... makes a fine sample... The King will be pleased... Fetching Dwelle...]
They also knew the current Immortal King, Hans, despised "madness."
Weren't they massacring madness-crazed nearby monsters right now?
[Don't worry. We won't let it die until it spills everything. Until the Sovereign returns, that is.]
Thus, the loyal subordinates diligently collected the head and remains.
And the Immortal Fortress's undead lab gained a unique, self-delivered test subject.
All unbeknownst to Hans himself.